Zionist
/ˈzaɪ.ə.nɪst/noun
A person who supports or advocates Zionism, the movement for Jewish national self-determination centered historically on the Land of Israel.
Did you know?The modern term Zionist was coined in the late nineteenth century, notably by Nathan Birnbaum in German, before being popularized internationally through the Zionist movement.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
צִיּוֹן (Ṣiyyōn)
“Zion, a name associated first with a stronghold or hill in ancient Jerusalem; the word's deeper origin is uncertain.”
Septuagint Greek
Greek
Σιών (Siōn)
“Zion, the Greek rendering of the Hebrew place-name.”
Latin Vulgate
Latin
Sion
“Zion, inherited from the Greek biblical form.”
Middle English
English
Sion
“A biblical and poetic English form of Zion, especially in religious writing.”
19th Century
German
Zionist / Zionismus
“A supporter of, or the movement associated with, Jewish national revival and settlement in the historic Land of Israel.”
Late 19th Century
English
Zionist
“A person who supports Zionism; the English form becomes established in political and religious discourse.”